Kiyokazu Kanze

Kiyokazu Kanze (born in 1959 in Tokyo) is the 26th Grand Master of the Kanze School and a direct descendant of the father-and-son masters Kan’ami and Zeami, who brought Noh theatre to its artistic culmination in the 14th century. In 1990, he assumed the position of head of the Kanze School, the largest and most influential school of Noh, thereby inheriting a tradition spanning nearly 700 years.

He has performed extensively both in Japan and internationally. Notably, his six guest performances at the 2016 Lincoln Center Festival in New York were met with outstanding critical acclaim and took place before sold-out audiences.

In addition to his stage activities, he plays a central role in the contemporary Noh world through his commitment to training the next generation of performers, reviving forgotten masterpieces, and creating new Noh works.

He is a member of the Japan Art Academy, a Person of Cultural Merit designated by the Japanese government, and a visiting professor at Tokyo University of the Arts. His numerous honors include the Medal with Purple Ribbon, the Japan Art Academy Prize, and the title of Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.